Business

Restaurant sales tax on digital transactions likely to increase in Punjab

Published

4 days ago

June 17, 2026

LAHORE – The Punjab government has proposed increasing the sales tax on restaurant transactions made through digital payment channels as part of the Punjab Finance Bill 2026.

Under the proposed changes, payments made through debit cards, credit cards, mobile wallets and QR codes would be taxed at 8pc, compared to the current rate of 5pc.

The bill also maintains a 16pc sales tax on transactions conducted through other payment methods.

Officials say the revised tax structure is aimed at increasing provincial revenue while continuing to encourage the use of documented payment channels in the restaurant sector.

If approved by the provincial assembly, the measure would make digitally paid dine-in and takeaway orders slightly more expensive, though they would still be subject to a lower tax rate than transactions made through non-digital means.

The existing 5pc rate was introduced to promote electronic payments and improve tax compliance. The proposed increase seeks to preserve the incentive for digital transactions while narrowing the gap between the two tax slabs.

The Punjab Finance Bill 2026 is currently under consideration and will require legislative approval before the revised rates can take effect.

Gold

Today’s gold rates in Pakistan – June 21, 2026

Published

2 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Haris Sarfraz Ali

KARACHI – On June 21, 2026, gold prices in Pakistan increased, following the upward trend in international markets.

According to the Saraffa Association, the price of 24-karat gold per tola increased to Rs 445,500 after a rise of Rs 500, while the rate for 10 grams was Rs 381,950.

**Today’s Gold and Silver Rates in Major Cities**
City	Gold Rate	Silver Rate
Karachi	PKR 445,500	PKR 3,830
Lahore	PKR 445,550	PKR 3,830
Islamabad	PKR 445,600	PKR 3,830
Peshawar	PKR 445,650	PKR 3,830
Quetta	PKR 445,700	PKR 3,830
Sialkot	PKR 445,500	PKR 3,830
Hyderabad	PKR 445,500	PKR 3,830
Faisalabad	PKR 445,500	PKR 3,830
Multan	PKR 445,500	PKR 3,830

Note: It is pertinent to mention here that Upfront News in no way claims these rates to be accurate at all times, as the prices can continuously vary.

Forex

Today’s currency exchange rates – June 21, 2026

Published

2 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Haris Sarfraz Ali

KARACHI – Foreign currency exchange rates for US Dollar, Saudi Riyal, UK Pound Sterling, U.A.E. Dirham, Euro, and other currencies in Pakistan open market on June 21, 2026. The US Dollar’s buying rate stands at Rs 279, and the selling rate at Rs 279.3.

Several other currencies, which include the Australian Dollar (AUD), Canadian Dollar (CAD), Chinese Yuan (CNY), Danish Krone (DKK), Japanese Yen (JPY), Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD), Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), New Zealand Dollar (NZD), and Swiss Franc (CHF), showed no significant change in their rates compared to the previous update.

Currency	Symbol	Buying	Selling	Charts
Australian Dollar	AUD	192.9	196.75	📊
Bahrain Dinar	BHD	737.16	747.75	📊
Canadian Dollar	CAD	195.71	200.25	📊
China Yuan	CNY	38.1	38.85	📊
Danish Krone	DKK	43.35	43.75	📊
Euro	EUR	318.12	322.17	📊
Hong Kong Dollar	HKD	35.06	36.04	📊
Indian Rupee	INR	2.75	3.05	📊
Japanese Yen	JPY	1.71	1.81	📊
Kuwaiti Dinar	KWD	884.6	894.85	📊
Malaysian Ringgit	MYR	67	67.85	📊
NewZealand $	NZD	157.64	161.65	📊
Norwegians Krone	NOK	27.97	28.27	📊
Omani Riyal	OMR	722	732.25	📊
Qatari Riyal	QAR	75.04	75.95	📊
Saudi Riyal	SAR	74.25	75	📊
Singapore Dollar	SGD	213.9	217.64	📊
Swedish Korona	SEK	30.25	30.55	📊
Swiss Franc	CHF	342.45	346.2	📊
Thai Bhat	THB	8.5	8.75	📊
U.A.E Dirham	AED	75.95	76.75	📊
UK Pound Sterling	GBP	371.49	375.25	📊
US Dollar	USD	279	279.3	📊

Gold

Today’s gold rates in Pakistan – June 20, 2026

Published

20 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Web Desk

KARACHI – On June 20, 2026, gold prices in Pakistan decreased, following the downward trend in international markets.

According to the Saraffa Association, the price of 24-karat gold per tola decreased to Rs 444,500 after a fall of Rs 5300, while the rate for 10 grams was Rs 381,090.

**Today’s Gold and Silver Rates in Major Cities**
City	Gold Rate	Silver Rate
Karachi	PKR 444,500	PKR 3,830
Lahore	PKR 444,550	PKR 3,830
Islamabad	PKR 444,600	PKR 3,830
Peshawar	PKR 444,650	PKR 3,830
Quetta	PKR 444,700	PKR 3,830
Sialkot	PKR 444,500	PKR 3,830
Hyderabad	PKR 444,500	PKR 3,830
Faisalabad	PKR 444,500	PKR 3,830
Multan	PKR 444,500	PKR 3,830

Note: It is pertinent to mention here that Upfront News in no way claims these rates to be accurate at all times, as the prices can continuously vary.